The Best Vegan Protein Powder in 2018 – Top Reviews

We decided to test and review some of the best vegan protein powders on the market. We would like to introduce to you Organic Muscle Vegan Protein Powder, a product designed to deliver functional nutrition free of chemicals and animal-derived substances.

1. Best Overall Vegan Protein Powder

Organic Muscle Vegan Protein Powder

Product Rating5 /5

Reviewed by: Max Perzon

With a net weight of 760 grams, this protein powder is easy to digest and mixes easily with other beverages. It is also quickly absorbed into the body and has a low allergenic profile. However, it has a bit of earthy aftertaste.

The pea protein in the mix has high amounts of BCAA’s, Arginine, and lysine, which is an excellent addition for those who are physically active. Its rice protein contains all nine essential amino acids and aids with muscle building and recovery while hemp protein has essential fatty acids that are not produced by the human body.

Considered as a superfood, chia seeds are loaded with fiber, EFA’s, calcium, and antioxidants. Sacha Inchi is packed with omega-3’s and essential amino acids. Quinoa sprouts and Jerusalem artichoke are powerhouses of protein, iron, magnesium, and fiber. Other ingredients also contain trace minerals and amino acids that help the body perform and recover from extensive exercises.

One serving of this powder has 24 grams of protein. Ideal for crossfitters, bodybuilders, athletes, and anyone who wants to live a fit and healthier lifestyle, this protein blend has nine types of essential amino acids for faster recovery.

Pros and Cons

Organic certified plant-based proteins

It has 24 grams of protein per serving

Mixes easily with water, almond milk, juice, and others

It contains all nine types of amino acids

Easy to digest

Earthy aftertaste

Sandy texture

2. Best All-in-One Protein Powder

Thorne Research – MediPro Vegan All-in-One Shake

Product Rating4.5 /5

Reviewed by: Max Perzon

This vegetable-based protein powder is for anyone who wants a multi-vitamin/mineral daily protein supplement. It contains probiotics and digestive enzymes and doesn’t include artificial sweeteners, dairy, gluten, and soy. This product is also low in calories, fat, and sugar, and is guaranteed to be free of coatings, binders, and fillers.

Ideal for dairy-sensitive individuals, vegans, and vegetarians, this multi-nutrient powder provides 22 grams of protein per serving. With its easily assimilated proprietary blend of chlorella, chia, and pea proteins, this powder is a great alternative to more allergenic egg-, soy-, or casein-based protein products.

Pure Food Plant-Based Protein Powder

Each serving comes with 3 grams of fiber from whole food sources and 1 billion CFUs of plant-based live beneficial bacteria (probiotics). This helps improve your immune system and digestive health without experiencing bloating and trapped gas.

Pure Food’s proven probiotic is also backed by 25 clinical studies. It has FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) approval status, making it ideal for people with gastrointestinal sensitivities.

With a net weight of 512 grams, it provides 20 grams of protein per serving derived from organic brown rice, pea, and hemp proteins. It is an excellent choice for those who need to feed hungry muscles and boost their energy levels.

This plant-based protein shake contains lucuma powder, which is rich in antioxidants and nutrients that help control cholesterol levels and lower blood pressure. It also includes organic mesquite powder to help stabilize the body’s blood sugars and Bacillus coagulans that promote digestive health.

On top of that, Pure Foods, a small family-owned business, stated that they donate five meals to families in need for every bag sold.

Pros and Cons

Helps boost immune system and gastrointestinal health

100% organic, real food ingredients

Supplies 20 grams of protein and 4 grams of BCAAs per serving

Mixes easily with any beverages

It has FDA GRAS (Generally Recognized As Safe) approval status

Like most protein powders, it has an earthy aftertaste

The texture is sandy

4. Best Protein Powder for Chocolate Lovers

Ora Organic Chocolate Protein Powder

Product Rating4 /5

Reviewed by: Max Perzon

For those who want their drink to be chocolaty, this protein powder might be the product that you’ve been looking for. It is also available in vanilla flavor, allowing you to choose according to your preferences.

Because there are no pesticides, herbicides, synthetic ingredients, or other non-organic materials used in the formulation or production process, you are guaranteed that the ingredients are sourced entirely from organic plant-based whole foods.

With smooth and minimal grit texture, it mixes well in liquid and can also be used in baking. It is recommended to shake, mix, or blend 8 ounces of water or up to 12 ounces of milk to prepare this protein shake.

Pros and Cons

It provides 21 grams of protein per serving

Chocolate flavor

Certified USDA Organic; 100% plant-based

No added sugar

Made from more than 20 different superfoods

Tastes chalky

Strong aftertaste

5. Best Spirulina Protein Powder

Micro Ingredients Organic Spirulina Powder

Product Rating4 /5

Reviewed by: Max Perzon

Spirulina is blue-green algae that is one of the most discussed and most researched superfoods today. When it comes to spirulina powder, you want it to be pure and treated gently. This powder is treated only with heat without any harsh processing and is certified USDA organic.

With a net weight of 454 grams, it offers 10 grams of protein per serving. This supplement is 100 percent vegan, non-irradiated, and created without GMOs, preservatives, gluten, fillers, soy, artificial flavors or colors. A scoop is also included in the pack to help you get the right measurement, as it is recommended to take one to three servings per day.

With a rich source of phytonutrients such as GLA, carotenoids, phycocyanin and SOD, this product is full of nutrients and antioxidants. While it contains 60 percent protein, this Micro Ingredients’ powder is also an excellent source of manganese, iron and chromium, and vitamins A, B12, K1, and K2.

Drinking spirulina powder on a daily basis may help you improve brain and eye health, support cellular health, increase energy levels, strengthen the immune system, and enhance blood circulation.

According to Micro Ingredients, this spirulina powder has 280% more antioxidants than blueberries, 600% more protein than tofu, 3900% more iron than spinach, and 2800% more beta-carotene than carrots.

Pros and Cons

Blends perfectly with cacao and cocoa powder, suitable for kids

USDA organic spirulina powder

Helps boost energy, reduce cholesterol, and aids in weight loss

Scoop included for perfect measurement

10 grams of protein per serving

Fishy odor

What is Protein?

Protein powder is an excellent solution for kickstarting your day and preparing yourself to take on any challenges that your hectic schedule throws at you. Fortunately, staying fit and caring about animals’ welfare go hand in hand pretty well! There are many solutions free of animal cruelty that will do the job and keep you energized. Since there’s a lot of offer on the market and you want to be sure that you only put the best of quality down your throat, we’ve prepared the ultimate buying guide that will help you identify the best vegan protein powder for your needs.

To suit your specific needs and help you find out what you need, we have also prepared thorough selection advice and several other vegan protein powders that you might want to consider.

Protein is a macronutrient responsible for building and sustaining body tissues and muscle mass. Along with fat and carbohydrates, this essential macronutrient is in high demand within our bodies.

Besides its effect on muscles, protein is also crucial to bone and blood health and works to preserve your hair, skin, and nails. Sufficient intake can also ensure that your immune system stays strong and that your body heals faster in case of injury.

The Many Benefits of Vegan Protein Powder!

Speed Up Recovery

Protein powder is often associated with people who are no strangers to the gym. As you work out your muscles get torn and need protein to recover. Drinking protein shakes helps you introduce more protein to your body and consecutively speed up the regeneration process.

Protein powder, however, isn’t merely for fitness enthusiasts. It is also an excellent choice for those recovering from an injury or still growing.

Help Manage Weight

Thanks to their ability to keep you full for a long time, protein shakes are a common solution for maintaining a healthy weight or even losing weight. When used in conjunction with a healthy diet, they may also help you build up body mass faster.

Additionally, vegan protein powders have been associated with improved digestion as they are rich in fibers. Healthy digestion is crucial to maintaining weight and staying away from various diseases and fatigue.

Good for the Health

Cardiovascular disease is one of the leading causes of death all around the world. Plant-based protein powder allows you to reduce the amount of cholesterol and saturated fats you ingest by eating animal-based products.

Due to their many benefits and valuable nutritional value, anyone looking forward to improving their health is suggested to invest in quality vegan protein powder.

Easy to Use

Are you always too busy to take your time and eat a proper meal?

As the case is with all protein powders, the vegan ones are also extremely easy to use and will take you little to no time to prepare. This will not only help you save a lot of time but also allow you to get the necessary nutrients even when you don’t have the time to cook and might think of skipping a meal.

Additionally, all you need to mix protein powder properly is a shaker and some water. This means that you can have a satisfying meal ready in just a few minutes.

Why Vegan?

There are several reasons why you should opt for a plant-based protein powder rather than a non-vegan one. Not only are they better for your body and the planet, but they are also just as efficient!

Earth-Friendly

Plant-based foods are a sustainable source of nutrition. As we know, large-scale agriculture comes with tremendous effects on the environment and the quality of food.

Fortunately, switching to vegan protein powder is easy and free of sacrifices. Plant-based protein powder is just as effective as non-vegan one and offers you a great way to increase your strength while enhancing your sustainability efforts.

Free of Antibiotics and Growth Hormones

Some companies will do anything in the name of profit, including exposing livestock to antibiotics and growth hormones. Vegan products are free of such inhumane practices.

Plant-based protein powders, on the other hand, may include ingredients that were treated with pesticides. To avoid that, you can simply opt for certified organic products.

Rich in Vitamins and Minerals

Since most vegan protein powders consist of several plant ingredients, there’s no denying that they are flourishing with vitamins and minerals crucial to good health.

If you’re having troubles eating enough fruits and vegetables, vegan protein powder can help you increase essential nutrients intake that animal-based protein powders simply can’t offer in such extent.

Rich in Fiber

Fiber content is another great reason why plant-based protein powder rocks. Plants are rich in fiber which keeps us full for extended periods and helps our digestive system run properly.

How Much Protein Should I Eat?

Despite protein being a macronutrient essential to our health, there’s a limit to everything we eat. Eating too much protein can lead to adverse effects such as weight gain, constipation, bad breath, diarrhea, dehydration, and even kidney damage.

According to the experts, an average woman requires 46 grams of protein per day while an average man needs around 56 grams.

The ideal protein intake, however, should be based on several factors including your weight and activity. For people with zero or little to no activity, 0.8 grams of protein per kilogram of body weight is enough to satisfy daily needs.

If you are exercising regularly, especially if you’re doing weightlifting, you might need up to 1.7 grams of protein per kilogram of your body weight each day.

What You Should Keep in Mind When Choosing Vegan Protein Powder

Selecting the right product for your needs is no easy job. As you are probably looking for a long-term buddy to rely on, take into consideration these factors before investing in a protein powder.

Ingredients

Quality over quantity is key to choosing the right powder. Strive for products that contain no more than 7 – 10 ingredients. For the sake of your health, you should also be able to recognize or identify those ingredients easily through an online search. Avoid powders rich in artificial sweeteners, synthetic flavors and colors, and refined sugar.

Any additional substances that are hard to recognize are usually just fillers added in trace amounts with the intention to deceive the buyers into thinking they offer ‘something more.’

Keep in mind that if an ingredient is too hard for you to read, it’s probably not something you want to eat without a doubt.

There is also an important difference between the terms natural and organic that you should keep in mind. While ‘natural’ and ‘eco’ can represent anything that derives or can be found in nature, such products are usually not regulated by the government.

If you want to be sure that the food you eat is free of toxic substances, chemical fertilizers, growth hormones, and artificial additives you should opt for ‘organic’ products.

Flavor

Most vegan protein powders come in two flavors: chocolate and vanilla. You can also try to search for a product with a different taste, such as strawberry or coconut for example, but make sure that it doesn’t contain artificial additives.

If you don’t like the flavor of the powder you buy, you can always give another one a try. Even if they have the same flavor, the taste can vary significantly from product to product. Keep testing until you find the one that suits you.

Protein Content

Another thing that varies is the amount of protein that the powders include. While some products offer as little as 30% of protein, high-quality ones usually consist of 70 – 90% protein.

Conclusion

Having a reliable vegan protein powder by your side can help you gain strength, recover from injuries, manage weight, and increase essential nutrients’ intake. Since there are hundreds of different products on the market, however, it is no easy job picking only one.

To help you out with this daunting task, we have assessed the features you should consider before buying a protein powder. Keep in mind to opt for products with organic ingredients, high protein intake, and of course good ratings.

While the Organic Muscle Vegan Protein Powder made it to the top of our list due to high protein content deriving from several organic plants, all of the powders introduced in this guide will likely suit your needs and keep you energized.

Now that you know exactly what to look for, it’s time to pick the best vegan protein powder and invigorate your body!